Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli on
Monday announced that the State is buying Casa Balla, the former
apartment in Rome of the early 20th-century artist Giacomo
Balla, one of the leading figures of Italian Futurism.
"Casa Balla will be bought soon", Giuli announced, presenting
the exhibit the Themes of Futurism opening at the National
Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome, adding that
"casa Balla is a consistent part of the show".
The acquisition will be completed very soon, said the director
general of national museums at the culture ministry Massimo
Osanna.
The apartment, in a mid-20th century building, showcases
artwork, murals and furniture designed by Balla (1871-1958), who
was a key figure of Italian Futurism, an early 20th-century
movement that celebrated the idea that art had to be celebrated
as an integral part of daily life.
Giuli also stressed the contribution of those who reported to
the MAXXI museum of 21st century art in Rome the "existence of
the painting 'Expanding flower number 17' which used to belong
to Casa Balla and which the MAXXI, with the ministry's support,
has bought".
It will displayed once again, together with more artwork, in the
artist's apartment, Giuli added.
Futurism was born in 1909 when poet Filippo Tommaso Marinetti,
who was acquainted with Balla, published a manifesto hailing
originality, technology, courage and modernity with a
nationalist bent.
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